Skip to main content

World Languages

The ZCHS World Languages Department provides an individualized, modern language learning experience that maximizes student proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking another language. The linguistic and cultural competencies gained through our ZCHS programming create work-ready, productive world citizens.

What benefits are there to learning another language?
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has done extensive research and data collection in this area. Please click here gain access to many years of correlated studies completed around the U.S. and world to answer the following questions:

  • How does language learning support academic achievement?
  • How does language learning provide cognitive benefits to students?
  • How does language learning affect attitudes and beliefs about language learning and about other cultures?

How are ZCHS World Languages courses developed and taught?
The ZCHS World Language teachers are a dynamic, cooperative team of teachers who, despite the differences in our backgrounds, experiences, and interests, work together as a cohesive group to offer six rigorous levels of instruction in Chinese, French, and Spanish. Teachers create unit plans and common, formal assessments that align with Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines and standards.

 

What will I learn in the courses I choose?


Who are my teachers and how will they support my unique learning style, personality and preferences?
Read about our ZCHS World Languages Teachers and find their contact information.

ZCHS World Languages teachers differentiate classroom instruction to support all students' needs.  Teachers work throughout the year to understand students' strengths, personality traits, habits, and opinions to improve lesson/unit planning, assessment practices, and teaching methods.
  

How will my skills be assessed?
The World Languages Department values collaboration and works to ensure that all WL students have a positive and similar experience in our classrooms, no matter what their language or level.  To this end, we have a number of departmental policies and practices to support students.  Please see your teacher's Canvas page for access to these policies.

Students will be assessed on their reading, writing, speaking, and listening in their language.  We use common rubric banks, developed from IDOE World Languages standards, ACTFL proficiency guidelines, and College Board scoring rubrics for all students, regardless of their language or level.

We recognize that sometimes students need extra time, resources, or supports to meet assessed standards.  We share common retake procedures in order to maintain clear communication between students, teachers, and families.

 

What resources are available to support me outside of the classroom?
World Languages teachers are always available to help students before, during, and after school. However, there are valuable, outside tools and resources that can facilitate different learning experiences for our students.

 
What can I do to keep learning outside of the classroom?
Using your language and cultural knowledge outside of the classroom is the best way to have fun, keep learning, build relationships with others, and find new interests! Here are some suggestions on how you can take your language local, national, and international!